Tariro

The Hidden Struggles of Remote Work & Freelancing

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Today I woke up and didn’t feel like being here. At my desk I mean 😅 I didn’t want to get out of bed. I didn’t want to take out my laptop. I just didn’t want to do anything all thanks to exhaustion. I have had a rough week thanks to sleep deprivation. Yeah, some days are like that. And today I want to talk about those days and other ugly parts of remote work and freelancing we don’t often talk about. If you have found yourself wondering or even asking whether it’s always rainbows and sunshine in the remote work world, the answer is ‘No’. Keep reading to find out the unspoken truths a lot of us quietly carry. Sleep Deprivation & Boundary Creep I figured let me start with this one because it’s poking at me the hardest right now. Working remotely on multiple projects with multiple clients singlehandedly can take its toll on you. If you are having to juggle client work across different timezones, its only a matter of time before you start experiencing some fatigue and risking burnout. Then there is the boundary creep. Let me explain this one. You know many of us remote work professionals like to talk about how we have so much freedom. But what many of us do not like to admit is how this freedom often backfires and translates to more time spent in our corner offices pouring in more hours into our work, and less and less into the life around us. This is often true of myself especially lately as I have been working on multiple projects with multiple clients. I have found myself working from around 9am to 9pm, only breaking to go pick up my son from school and sometimes even waking up in the middle of the night to meet some deadlines. The result of such a routine is not pleasant. Less quality time spent with my child even though we are living in the same house and that can also come with its own consequences. And don’t even get me started on how sluggish and irritable I feel when I haven’t slept well. The Pressure to Always Be On My clients in the US are most active in the later parts of the day. My clients Down Under are most active when I am supposed to be lost in my dreams. And with the rest of my clients in between we are trying to find the best time that is not lunchtime or school run for them or myself. Because I work from home and need to serve and show up for all of my clients, in the best and fairest way possible, I find myself struggling to seperate work and rest. Even when I do make time to rest, I have this guilt that tends to creep in and a little voice that seems to whisper that I could be doing more with my time. I feel like the pressure I put on myself sometimes is a little too much and I know I am not the only one who has realised that they have to try a little extra hard to be intentional about giving themselves that downtime. The Feast or Famine Cycle Unless you are employed in a full time position, income in remote work and freelancing can be quite inconsistent. One month you are literally turning down work, and another you are getting anxious over an invoice you sent 5 minutes ago and are already wondering whether it got lost in the wind. Even in good months, you can find yourself getting anxiety regarding what lies ahead in the coming months because bills are consistent and don’t stop piling up. This can make it difficult to make long term financial plans because you need to create a huge buffer for those down months and plan for expenses that would need to be covered. No matter how old you are in the freelancing and remote work scene, you know this cycle can drive you mad! OK, let me speak for myself on this one. It may not be true for everyone. Personally, sometimes it just makes me want to pull my hair out and it’s honestly nobody’s fault. It comes with the journey. Isolation and Disconnection Some time last year I went through an episode of loneliness in my work. I longed for networking and human connection real badly and this was actually one of the reasons I found myself applying to get into a postgrad degree program. When you work remotely, there are hardly any water cooler chats and sometimes we take those casual check ins for granted. It’s easy to go for days without any meaningful interaction, especially if you live alone. And before you know it, your mental health is taking a hit and you are wondering why you are chronically sad. It’s the disconnection from others and unless you are intentional about building relationships and connections with others beyond your laptop, you will find yourself battling loneliness at heightened levels. Unstable Support Systems I always tell my aspiring remoties that you are not just looking for remote work. You are running a business. And unfortunately, it’s the business of you by you, for you and most of the times, with just you. You have to do everything. If something breaks, crashes, or glitches… there’s no IT guy. There’s just you, Google and ChatGPT. You are your own tech support, admin, customer service, marketing, sales, even therapist! Juggling these multiple hats can be overwhelming. I have days when I just don’t want to create content for LinkedIn, when writing a post honestly feels like a chore. But guess what? That’s all on me. I can’t make anybody else accountable for that unless I am paying them to make that happen. The Illusion of Flexibility Do you remember my article, ‘Beyond the laptop on the beach‘? When people hear remote work, they immediately think FREEDOM. Sure, I

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Behind The Scenes: My Remote Work Income Sources in 2025 So Far

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At the beginning of the year, I wrote a post about How to Get Remote Work Clients in Zimbabwe. It garnered a lot of attention and if I’m being honest, it also stirred up a mix of emotions, both from others and myself. Some of it was excitement, some disbelief, some skepticism and a little bit of critique. But the reason I shared that post was really to offer ideas and insight into what has worked for me in the 10+ years I’ve been working remotely both as a full-time employee and a freelancer. What I probably didn’t share back in January was that I was actually transitioning again. I had just stepped out of a full-time remote role and was returning to full-time freelancing and running my Online Business Management (OBM) services under my own business. As far as client contracts go, I was pretty much back to starting from zero. Fast forward to the end of June, the halfway mark of the year, I found myself doing some deep reflection. In fact, I had started reflecting back in April because, as any business owner knows, you start seeing what’s working and what’s not possibly right there at the 3-4 month mark.  So, here we are. I’d like to share with you a behind-the-scenes look at how I generated income remotely in this first half of 2025, partly for transparency, but also just to show you what’s possible, diversity of income streams and also the power of community, networking and maintaining visibility.   A Little Context On My Life and Work Setup I live in Harare, Zimbabwe, and I’m a co-parent to a toddler. I work 100% from home in rented accommodation. My internet connection is from Liquid Technologies, and I use the Pay-As-You-Go fibre billing model which has been working well for me since I decided to be more intentional (read: strict) about how I use my internet in the home.   My workday typically starts at 8:30 AM after school drop-off and ends around 7 PM. In between, I take breaks for meals, errands, or the school run. Most days, I’m seated at my laptop for about 7–8 hours whether or not I have client projects I am working on. More of that last part on another day. Now, let’s dive into the remote work income sources that contributed to keeping the lights on for me.  Income Source 1: Expert AI Training (40%) What It Involved: I worked as an AI trainer and data labeller with a global organisation called Pareto. Each project had its own structure, but most involved reviewing, labelling, or generating content for AI training. Even though you are registered as an Independent Contractor with Pareto, you have to apply and qualify to join each project and most times, you start out in a trial phase. The work is paid based on approved submissions, so quality matters deeply. You can’t just submit mediocre or substandard work and hope that it will be approved.  AI Training and Data Labelling was new territory for me, but I jumped in with an open mind and learned as I went. The projects were quite challenging but I learnt a lot along the way.  How I Landed It: Sometime in February, I met with someone at the WIDB Digital Skills Training of Trainers event. Later after this event, she reached out to me having realised that I am into remote work and recommended that I follow a post that she found in a Facebook group where women from Zimbabwe were creating a community to discuss remote work opportunities. Following her encouragement, I joined a WhatsApp group for Zimbabwean women interested in remote work. About a month or so later, someone from that group shared a Pareto project opportunity. I nearly didn’t apply (imposter syndrome is the pits I tell you), but with some encouragement from the woman who posted it, I went for it and made it in. Since then, I’ve successfully joined three other Pareto projects and managed to work on them as an independent contractor. Pros: Cons: Income Source 2: Web Design (25%) What It Involved: I offered starter WordPress website design for small businesses and startups. Most sites were around five pages, designed to give businesses a professional online presence without overly complex features. I was targeting mostly businesses that were getting online for the first time and also those that had tried to DIY their websites but got overwhelmed along the way.  How I Landed It: At the start of the year, I told my network of friends and family that I was actively focused on growing my web design portfolio. I shared my offer directly in their WhatsApp DMs and they went on to share with their friends and connections. From there, the projects started coming in. Some came from people I knew directly, others from those they referred me to. It has been growing organically from simple conversations and follow-ups. Pros: Cons: Income Source 3: OBM Services (17%) What It Involved: This is actually my signature service offering. As an Online Business Manager (OBM), I help business owners run their day-to-day operations, manage their teams, and implement key projects. In the first half of the year, I led special projects for an online community, started working on a podcast launch project, and supported backend operations for a growing digital business. I use a range of project management, automation, time management, collaboration and workflow management tools to help deliver value for my clients.  How I Landed It: This work came through referrals: past clients, colleagues, and friends who know my skills and trusted me to deliver. They found out that I was offering these services through the posts I was putting up on my social media channels, mainly LinkedIn and WhatsApp.  Pros: Cons: Income Source 4: VA/Admin Services (8%) What It Involved: Not sure if you know this but let me say it again…just in case. I actually started out in remote work

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Powerful Lessons on Community, Clarity and Confidence

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We have just wrapped up the first half of 2025, and I can’t help thinking about what a rollercoaster the past six months have been. I have smiled, laughed, cried, screamed, hoped, feared, won, lost and everything in between all these emotions you could possibly think of. Dealing with a transition in my work is something I just decided I was going to hit the ground running with. There was no time for me to ease into it or take it slow. Every day since 1 January 2025, I have been working on one thing or another in efforts to step back into my OBM business which I had parked nearly four years ago. And I’m not sure how it has looked on the outside, but on the inside, it has not been easy. A lot has changed. What I thought I wanted to do, I ended up realising that I didn’t actually want to do. What I never believed I could do, I found myself doing. Challenges I never imagined I would face? I found myself in the thick of them, tackling each one like my entire life depended on it. Yet, in all the hustle and uncertainty, one thing has helped me keep my sanity, week in and week out: Community. Let me tell you about mine. First of all, I have amazing friends and family. The funny thing is, we don’t always see each other. Heck, some of them live halfway across the world! But even with the distance, we try our best to stay connected around what’s happening in our lives. The good things, the bad things, the big things, the small things, the funny things, the shocking things, the serious things. We really try. And knowing I can go to them with all of these things is one of the most humbling blessings of my life. If you ever hear me saying I’m “self-made what what”… slap me. It’s just not true. I am the product of a strong community of supporters who, I’m convinced, genuinely want to see me win. It’s not just about my family and friends, though. I work with some truly lovely people too. One community in particular has been helping me maintain my sense of direction and self, especially through this season of change. Last year in March, I joined a membership of early-stage female entrepreneurs called Flourish. I want to believe it was a “community in time” because all of the sessions and discussions I got to be part of seemed to be preparing me for exactly the season I’m in now. Back then, I had recently launched my blog and wasn’t quite sure what I was going to do with it. I was just writing and writing. I had also started working on my social media visibility especially around work. It was refreshing to be in a space that reminded me of the need to have clarity about the work I do, the problems I solve, and how I go about solving them. This clarity has become a part of what we now call the famous Flourish intro which all members have to do every Tuesday during our live sessions. You would be surprised how many business people struggle with doing this on the fly. Anyway, at the beginning of this year, I was invited to join the Flourish support team. It was an easy “YES!” from me. I had more time on my hands and was eager to plug in. Plus, this was a mission I genuinely believed in and one I was already deeply invested in. Fast forward to today, and I’m genuinely excited about everything I’ve been able to learn and unlearn on this journey of supporting Flourish members. Every week, we go through tutorials that are packed with useful and insightful nuggets. These continue to fill in the gaps in my own knowledge around business, systems, and building a brand that actually reflects who you are. Being part of this community has also helped me boost my confidence to stick with my ideas and give them a fair chance, something we’re constantly reminded to do in the group. At the same time, I’m learning not to become over-attached to my own ideas to the point where I hold them too close and lose clarity about what I’m actually trying to do. I wish this was easier said than done. This is the part that has been incredibly hard for me to be honest because sometimes I tend to be a victim of my sooooo many ideas and wanting to implement them all at the same time. Yes, it has happened with a couple in this first half of 2025, and Flourish came after me, reminding me about clarity yet again. And if I’m being honest, that lack of clarity and the pressure to act on too many ideas at once eventually started to catch up with me. It’s probably one of the reasons I found myself losing steam with my blog writing and podcast recordings because there is only so much a girl can do! Now, Flourish isn’t the only community I’ve chosen to engage with around my work in 2025. I’m also actively involved in communities focused on remote work, mentorship, and different training programmes. Why? Because I refuse to navigate this working and business world on my own. It can get kind of lonely. I also acknowledge that there’s still so much I don’t know. Getting an opportunity to meet new people from around the world who get to tell me about the interesting projects they are working on is something I don’t take for granted. I want to be around people who can build me up and help me grow. I also want to share in my own experiences to help other people who are getting started on this journey of pursuing remote work. It’s a huge reason why this blog was born. I believe that as far as remote

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How Chasing Shiny Ideas & Quick Wins Burnt Me Out

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If you’ve been wondering why I’ve been quiet for nearly a month, I explain it all in the podcast episode linked above. But, in the meantime, here’s the story of how, I, someone who helps founders and business owners bring clarity and momentum to their ideas, got tangled in a web of my own. The Year Started With So Much Hope (And Unexpected Fear 😰) As 2025 began, I was transitioning out of my full-time remote role and back into running my online business serving multiple clients. I was excited. I had missed the thrill of working on diverse projects with clients from around the world. I saw it as a chance to reconnect with the remote work scene, something I had been longing (and procrastinating) to do for a while. But I was also terrified. I was scared of the unknown. I was scared of not having a predictable and regular paycheck. I was scared of not knowing how I’d find new clients in this new algorithm, ATS, tips and tricks, game-the-system driven world. But I chose to show up anyway. I had been mentally preparing myself for a couple of weeks, and when the time came, I hit the ground running fast. OK, maybe a little too fast…😂 The Passion Projects That Nearly Burned Me Out One of the first things I pursued was something I’d been feeling called to do for a while: coaching and mentoring aspiring remote workers on a somewhat large scale or bigger platform. This is something I had been wanting to do since I relaunched this blog last year in March. I’ve worked remotely for over a decade, and I wanted to share everything I’ve learned. No gatekeeping. No fluff. Just the honest, unfiltered truth, lessons and advice. It felt like the right time to dive into this mission because, hey, I now had more time. So I opened up my calendar to free 30-minute calls with anyone curious about remote work, especially from Zimbabwe. I also had an invitation to those who were willing to work with me further as part of a paid group coaching class or one-on-one. The response for the 30-minute calls was overwhelming, especially after the post about finding remote clients in Zim gained traction. My inbox and calendar were filled up. Before I knew it, I had done nearly 50 calls in a very short space of time. I was exhausted! Something I had started with the hope of adding value to the remote work community fast became unsustainable. I scaled back to one call a day, and eventually removed the free coaching calls from my booking page altogether. That wasn’t all. If you remember, from my last post, I also started Digital Skills Training this year. Again, there was an amazing response from my community and I had over 150 women enrolled. We’re actually just wrapping up with the first cohort but I must confess, I underestimated what was required of me running this large cohort and have since decided to go on a break before starting the next one. I genuinely love helping others and always want to make time. I would hate for anyone to walk out of my coaching and training and feel like they wasted their time and got zero value. Of course, it’s inevitable because our expectations not always the same. But I try to give as much as I can. And I guess that is where it gets sticky sometimes… As much as I love helping others, I realised I had to draw boundaries. Otherwise, there wouldn’t be much of me left to show up for my client work. This is the work that is and should remain my priority at the moment. And this is honestly the work that pays the bills. That was the first big red flag: I was giving too much of myself to something that wasn’t supposed to be my full-time focus. Chasing Quick Wins and Losing Myself In The Process Next came the scramble to generate income. I started offering quick-turnaround services like web design projects, social media management, anything that could get me clients easily and quickly. And it worked… for a while. But slowly, it started to feel off. You see, I spent a lot of time and energy in seeking out these quick turnaround projects and completely neglected something important along the way. I was trying to be everywhere, do everything, serve everyone. Along the way, I lost clarity in all my messaging and completely neglected promoting the core value I knew I could deliver for business owners outside of these quick turnaround services. I started to experience stress, a little confusion and a lot of burnout. More than once, a long-time client, who I resumed working with at the beginning of the year, asked me, “Tariro, what exactly are you doing these days?” I didn’t have a clear answer. I tried to dodge her every time she would ask this because I did not want another long lecture. I did not want her to tell me the truth. So I would just give her some vague responses sprinkled with excuses. But deep down, I knew I was drifting…not sure to where. Even on LinkedIn, when I (finally) slowly started stepping out to clarify on the work I do as an Online Business Manager, I got comments like, “I didn’t realise this is what you did. I need you on my project!”. I have a friend who only recently found out I design websites and reacted: “Wait… why am I just hearing this now?” My honest answer to all these questions from people who know me, who have worked with me, who are ready to recommend my work and services any day: Because I was jumping from one idea to the next, running away from committing to the one thing I know I am capable of delivering great value in. The one thing that ties together all of my “quick

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Why I Am Choosing To Teach Digital Skills

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At the beginning of this year, I decided I wanted to step into supporting individuals who were interested in launching remote work careers. But 50-plus calls booked in Q1 by aspiring remote workers gave me a brand-new challenge. One I needed to act on as a matter of urgency. What am I talking about? Keep reading… Every day, I find myself standing between two worlds. On one side, amazing business owners trying to navigate a digital world that feels overwhelming and align it with their day-to-day business operations. On the other, passionate individuals dreaming of remote work but unsure how to meet the demands of a global market. I realised that what connects these two groups is a common challenge: a digital skills gap that quietly limits potential and progress. This gap isn’t just inconvenient. It can be costly. It slows down innovation, stifles business growth, holds back careers, and leaves too many people feeling like the digital world is passing them by. But here’s the good news. Skills can be taught, confidence with digital tools can be built, and opportunity is still very much within reach. That’s why I’ve decided to show up in this space to help demystify the digital world, empower others with practical digital tools, and create a bridge where people can move forward with clarity and confidence. As someone who works in tech and product development, I often have the privilege of presenting digital solutions to business owners and team. These are systems that could save them time, money, or give them back their peace of mind. But every now and then, I see a familiar look in their eyes: confusion, doubt, or even quiet panic. Not because the solution doesn’t work, but because no one ever walked with them through how it works. I honestly don’t like it when business owners say things like, “Just do it!” without having a foundational understanding of why it’s being done. Assuming that everyone is somewhat “tech-savvy” can become a barrier, leaving many brilliant, capable people feeling left out of the conversation on digital upskilling. Personally, I feel that’s not OK. On the other side, I meet amazing, motivated, and hardworking individuals who want to serve clients remotely. They’ve got the attitude, they’ve got the drive. But they’re unsure how to use digital tools, structure their workflow, or even present their digital skills confidently online. The dream of working remotely quickly turns into frustration or imposter syndrome. There’s so much talent. So much potential. But potential alone isn’t enough, right? We need to pair it with preparation. I’m choosing to teach digital skills because I believe this is where real transformation happens. Not just for the sake of learning more tools but to give people options. I want to help small business owners feel more in control. I want to help remote work hopefuls prepare to step into global opportunities. And I want to make everyday tech tools feel less like a wall, and more like a doorway. Whether it’s teaching someone how to navigate a bookkeeping platform, automate a business process, build a simple website, or manage digital tasks with ease, I want to be part of that lightbulb moment where things start to click. I believe everyone deserves to feel confident in this digital age. I believe digital literacy opens doors both professionally and personally. And I believe we don’t need to know everything, but we do need to know enough to move forward boldly. Did you know that East and Southern Africa are estimated to have some of the lowest levels of digitalisation in the world? While there are many factors contributing to this, I believe we each have a role to play in preparing ourselves to tap into the opportunities that digitalisation and digital transformation offer. We have so much work to do in our region. That’s why I’m making it a personal mission to keep these trainings affordable. I don’t want cost to be the reason someone gives up on themselves or their dreams. I strongly believe everyone deserves a fair shot at learning the skills that can change their story. If you stick around this space, you’ll find simple, actionable, and encouraging digital skills training programmes designed to help you grow your digital confidence whether you’re running a business or preparing to serve clients remotely. I’ll share what I know and what I continue to learn, break things down without jargon, and meet you right where you are. No fluff. No shame. Just support, guidance, and the belief that you can learn this. Whether you’re a business owner who wants to stop feeling “behind” or an aspiring remote worker looking to step into your next season with confidence, I’m here to help you build the skills to thrive. Because once the digital world makes sense, a whole new world of possibility opens up.

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Should you quit your job to pursue remote work?

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I hate this question. So much. Yeah, there, I said it. If you have ever asked me this, I thought you should know. But, trust me, it has nothing to do with you. It has everything to do with me. I struggle with answering this question because I feel like I never have a straightforward answer to it. When people hear my story of how I left my corporate banking job 11 years ago, I think they assume I was over the moon about it. Newsflash! I was not. I was terrified. I was relieved. I was scared of what could possibly happen or not happen. I was scared of failing. I was scared of leaving the comfort of a salary, medical aid, fuel and all the perks that came with the job and going back to having to figure out how to recharge my phone with a juice card. Tjo! I was afraid of running out of money (which I quickly did) and just struggling. Yet. I still made the decision to quit my job with all of these things in sight. Why? Well, my life was honestly set up differently then. I was in my 20s and living with my parents for starters and I had managed to convince myself that if it didn’t work out within x number of months, I would just go and look for job in corporate. And guess what? It didn’t quite work out especially in that first year but I found the highs of remote and flexible work so thrilling, I decided, “A luta continua!” and continue I did. Fast forward to today, my life is set up different. I don’t live with my parents anymore and I’m actually a parent myself. Would I make the same decision? Maybe yes. Maybe no. You see why I hate this question? Because it all depends on the circumstances. It depends on what’s at stake. Is it my child’s welfare? Is it my mental state? Is there something at stake? Because if my child’s welfare is at stake if I stay in an in-person job, maybe I work long hours or I don’t have childcare, I’m likely going to quit and look for flexible options. If my mental health is at stake if I stay in this in-person job, I may choose to stay and engage a therapist as a start or, if my savings permit, wave my colleagues goodbye. What am I saying? I am not in a position in my life where I would just choose instability or uncertainty without just cause. And yes, sometimes my mental health is just cause. Sometimes my child is just cause. Now, maybe you are asking yourself this question. You are probably burnt out in your job or fed up with your bosses or colleagues. What should you do? I would say pick whatever decision you like and be prepared to live with it. This is why… You have to own your decision. You can’t make it based on vibes, or because someone else seems to be thriving remotely, or because you saw a TikTok about working on a beach in Bali. You have to make it based on your own situation, your values, your goals, and what you’re willing (or not willing) to risk. Remote work is not a magic fix. It’s not always a better alternative. It’s just different. It has perks. Oh yes, it has perks! But it also comes with its own challenges. You might get flexibility, but you’ll also need discipline. Do you have it? You might get freedom, but you might also feel isolated. Can you stand loneliness? You might escape a toxic workplace, only to realise that you miss the energy of being around people. And if you’re thinking of quitting your in-person job to find a remote job, that’s another layer to consider. Remote jobs are so competitive. Are you ready to compete at the level they demand? Remote jobs also don’t always pay as well at the beginning, especially if you’re making a pivot. They can take time to find. Are you okay with that time gap? Do you have savings? A support system? A plan B or C? This is not to scare you. It’s to ground you. Quitting isn’t failure. Staying isn’t weakness. Choosing stability isn’t being boring. Chasing freedom isn’t being reckless. It all depends on why you’re making the decision and what you need right now. So, should you quit your in-person job to pursue remote work? Only you can really answer that. But here’s what I would say: Make sure you’re running towards something, not just running away from something. Make sure you’re aware of what you’re giving up, just as much as what you’re gaining. And whatever you choose, stand ten toes down in that decision. Learn from it. Pivot if you need to. You’re allowed to change your mind. I don’t have a straight answer. I never have. But I do know this: your life, your season and your priorities matter. Let them guide you Before you make the leap, ask yourself: What matters most to me right now? What am I willing to risk, and what do I want to protect? Let your answers (not fear, not pressure, not Instagram posts or a TikTok or YouTube influencer) lead the way.

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You Don’t Know What You Don’t Know

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Lately, I have found myself saying this a lot: You don’t know what you don’t know. I decided to write this blog post to expand on this, especially after a recent experience that reminded me why I keep hammering on this point. Let’s start with the story. Yesterday, in the late afternoon, I was about to go to the Farmer’s Market when I realised I had a flat tyre. I just rolled my eyes and told my son, We’re going to have to walk to the nearby shops and get what we need. Meanwhile, I sent a message to my mum, letting her know about the flat tyre. A few minutes later, she asked if I had fixed it. I told her no as I couldn’t focus on that while also watching my son. My mum laughed and said, It’s not like you know how to change a tyre. I laughed back and told her, Lady, I know how to do it. She decided to dare me and asked if she should bring the tools I needed (by the way, my jack wasn’t working properly, so I needed hers). A few minutes later, mum arrived, ready to see her daughter shine. But unfortunately, I was too caught up in feeding my son and attending to his seemingly endless demands. He was irritable, and by the time I was done, it was getting dark. I asked my mum to watch him while I changed the tyre. She stayed inside while I got to work, but honestly, I could barely see what I was doing. I took out the spare wheel, placed the jack under the car, and started working. It was hard work. Respect to my tyre service team at Homeground! I tried to unscrew the nuts and bolts, but they were so tight, as if Goliath himself had secured that tyre. I was struggling. My mum came out to check on me and found me still battling those stubborn nuts and bolts. She even tried to loosen them herself, but they wouldn’t budge. By then, it was completely dark, and my son was even more irritable. I decided to just deal with it in the morning. Mum asked, “Are you sure you can do this?” I answered, “Of course!” The morning struggle Now, you might be wondering why my mum doubted me so much. Simple: she had never seen me change a tyre. Ever! She had only seen me watch others (including her) do it. Yes, my 60+ year-old mother can change a tyre! Do I blame her for doubting me? Nope. I had never changed a tyre on my own. I had passed a spanner, helped screw the nuts back, but the whole process? Never. Fast forward to this morning. I woke up determined to get it done. It shouldn’t be hard, I told myself. I got started, but those nuts and bolts were still stuck. So I decided I’d work on the jack while keeping an eye out for someone stronger than me (a.k.a. a man LOL) to help with the bolts. As I was working, our caretaker passed by. Hallelujah! I asked him for help with the spanner, and let me tell you, those nuts and bolts were so tight even he struggled! He ended up jumping on the spanner in his huge safety shoes just to loosen them. Finally, they came off, and he left me to continue. I jacked up the car, removed the flat tyre, but just as I was taking it off… the jack slipped 😭 My car was now lower than low. I wanted to scream. I had already struggled with this jack, so I knew I couldn’t bring the car up again to fit the spare wheel. There was definitely need for a second jack help with the lift. So I kept working on the “faulty” jack, hoping for a solution. My drive-by rescue Just as I was reaching my limit and thinking, maybe I should just do InDrive, a man driving by stopped and asked if I needed help. I told him I needed a second jack. He parked his car, took out his jack (which honestly looked ‘healthier’ than mine), and immediately said, Before you start working, always place your spare tyre halfway under the car. That way, if the jack slips, the tyre will catch the car. And that, ladies and gentlemen, was my first lesson of the morning. Then, as he placed his jack next to mine, he said, Look at the placement of your jack. Then look at mine. I looked, and immediately saw the difference. My jack was not positioned properly, which is probably why it was harder to lift the car and I assumed it was faulty 🙈. Second lesson of the morning. He helped lift the car, and I tried to fit the spare tyre. It wasn’t going in properly. He checked and said, Not quite yet. He raised the car a little higher, created enough space, and then fitted the tyre onto the bolts himself. Third lesson of the morning. Finally, I secured the nuts and bolts, and let me tell you, this entire process felt like an intense gym session at Invictus! My entire body was sore. Now, I had to rush to get ready for school run. As I was getting ready, my helper laughed and said she had been convinced I knew exactly what I was doing. I told her, I do have experience… watching others do it. 😂 After dropping my son at school, I went to my mum’s house. She was eagerly waiting to hear about my tyre-changing adventure. At first, I told her casually, Yeah, I did that. Then, I gave her the full, blow-by-blow account. She laughed at me. 😂 I told her, There was no way I was going to admit that my 60+ year-old mum can change a tyre and I can’t! 🙈 But honestly, as tough as it was, I’m glad

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The Only Constant In Life Is Change

Leave a Comment / Life, Remote Work /

Before I get into this blog post, please take a moment to join me in a little celebration… 🎉 🥳 👏 🙌 🎊 March 1st happens to be the anniversary of my remote work journey. Today marks 11 years of this wild adventure, and I am just in awe of everything it has been. Some years, I have chosen grand celebrations, like back in 2019 when I turned five in this game and really felt like I was da bomb diggity bomb. I was so excited that I booked a photoshoot, had celebratory t-shirts printed, and even treated myself to a dinner outing. Other past few years, however, I’ve kept things low-key with a simple post here and a quiet website update there. But every year, I find a way to make the day special for me. Last year, on this very day, I launched this blog. This was my third attempt at blogging since I started working remotely, and for the first time, I feel like it’s working. Why? Because I am showing up as me and writing what I want to write. Yes, simply that. This is actually my 33rd blog post on this blog, and I couldn’t be more excited about the many more to come. In the past, I wrote with so much restraint, constantly questioning myself:If I share this, won’t people think I’m crazy?If I say that, won’t they think I’m exaggerating?What if they talk about me behind my back? These thoughts often stopped me from writing authentically. I was scared of sounding like me. I was even hesitant to use “LOL,” fearing it would make me seem unprofessional. I tried so hard to sound polished, composed, you know, like someone else. But all that did was drain my passion for writing, and I kept chasing other shiny distractions. However, as I grow older and experience more of life, I realise how much we need real stories. Stories that resonate. Stories that show the whole journey. Not just the highlight reels, but the ups and downs, the wins and losses, the mistakes and failures, the perseverance and grace, the hard work and favour, the prayers and victories. And everything in between. Those are the stories I prefer to tell. The real ones. The unbelievable ones. The scary ones. The amazing ones. The sad ones. The ones where I learned. The ones where I grew. When I write about my journey in remote work, tech, and life, I still feel that little tug of self-doubt, wondering what people might think. But then I remember my why. There is someone out there I am meant to serve with every story I tell. That one person. As much as I enjoy writing (a lot!), this journey is not just for me. It’s for the hundreds of readers and listeners who tune in each week to learn something, to hear a relatable story, or simply to let me keep them company for a few minutes. The Evolution of My Work and Identity When I started working remotely, I was in my 20s. If God wills, I’ll be celebrating my 40th birthday next year. And if there’s one thing I’ve learned in this time, it’s that change is inevitable. In fact, we should be concerned when we remain the same. Back in 2014, when I left my job, I stepped down from a middle management position to become a Virtual Assistant. But over time, I stopped serving like one. My leadership and managerial experience naturally kicked in, and I found myself offering more than clients had signed up for because it just felt right and the giver and helper in me just can’t help giving and helping endlessly. Then, when I got pregnant with my son, I decided to take a break from work. I just didn’t have the same energy I had before. I remember one client saying, “You know, you could come back from maternity and not want to be a Virtual Assistant anymore?” I dismissed it instantly. How could I? Being a Virtual Assistant had become my identity. I was Tariro The VA. There was no way I could want anything else. Or was there? When I returned to work, my son was about four months old. Tariro The VA was back! My past clients were excited to resume, but something felt different. Suddenly, I felt a conflict within me. There was more I wanted to do, but I didn’t know how to package it for myself or my clients. So, I sought help. That’s when I met Sarah Noked and joined her OBM (Online Business Manager) coaching program. It was a turning point in my remote work journey. You know what I always say: You don’t know what you don’t know. Sarah opened my eyes to the gaps in my approach and execution, and she gave me the confidence to rebrand myself as an OBM. Within months, things started shifting. And, well, the rest is the story I continue to share here. Part of that story includes embracing a tech role and leveraging my experience to contribute to a mission that shaped my career in ways I never imagined. Had I resisted change, clinging to the Tariro The VA label, I wouldn’t have had the experiences that shaped me over the past few years. The Uncomfortable Beauty of Change Change is not simple. It is, to be honest, very uncomfortable. But staying the same is far worse. When we refuse to change, we risk stagnation. And when we’re stagnant, we’re not growing. And when we’re not growing, we’re hardly learning. Change pushes us out of our comfort zones. Because while comfort is tempting, it often blinds us to opportunities that could change our lives. It keeps us from meeting the people who could become our destiny helpers. When we resist change, we miss out. As I step into another year of remote work, I’m making a conscious effort to resist the temptation of comfort. I

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Your Skills Are More Valuable Than You Think

2 Comments / Remote Work /

Did you know that you don’t have to start from scratch to land a remote job? The skills you already have might be your ticket to working from anywhere! One of the common questions people ask me when considering remote work is, “What can I do remotely with my skills?” or “I am currently a [insert a job title]. What can I do remotely?” My answer to this is simply: Start with what you already know. One of the beauties of remote work is that it doesn’t require you to reinvent yourself from scratch. Instead, it gives you the opportunity to build on your current skills, adapt them to digital work environments (because that’s the heart of what remote is), and grow into new opportunities over time. I left a managerial tech role to become a Virtual Assistant eleven years ago. I was able to immediately apply skills from that job and my previous experiences, even though they weren’t all tech-related. These skills helped me move forward in my new role. That doesn’t mean my tech skills became irrelevant; they were just applied in a different way. I feel like many people underestimate the value of the skills they already have. Whether you have experience in administration, HR, marketing, customer service, finance, or any other field, there’s a remote opportunity that can leverage your expertise. Think about what you already do well, what people often ask you for help with, and what tasks you enjoy doing. These are usually great indicators of where to start in your remote work journey. Here a few example to help you brainstorm… If you excel at administrative tasks or are naturally organised, both in your own work and when supporting others, a Virtual Assistant role could be a great fit for you. Back in 2014, I chose to become a VA because I genuinely enjoyed helping, supporting, and organising, especially for small business owners. Even in supervisory or leadership roles now, I remain the same kind of person who is just naturally inclined to help. Do you have experience in or a passion for customer service or client-facing roles in any industry? If so, exploring remote roles in Customer Success, Customer Support, or Customer Experience in remote-centric industries could be a great opportunity. Personally, I love client and user support roles, especially in remote settings. I believe many businesses could better serve their clients, and whenever I’m in such a role, I go all in to ensure customers are satisfied with the support they receive. If you share this passion, you’ll thrive in a remote client care role because when you treat clients well, your work will speak for you and you’re set to thrive. If you have experience in teaching or training, online education and course creation have been booming industries, especially since the pandemic. I may be a little biased because I enjoy working in this space, but the opportunities are undeniable. In recent years, many teachers and trainers in developed economies have been learning skills like User Experience (UX), Learning Experience (LX), and Instructional Design to transition into remote education-focused roles. Here in Africa, some teachers realised the possibilities of online education during the pandemic and never looked back. These are just a few examples of how you can transition from one role to another without necessarily starting from scratch but starting from your experience. Keep Learning & Growing It’s important to understand that remote work is dynamic. No two clients or companies operate the same way or use the exact same tools. You might even find yourself working with multiple teams, each using different platforms for communication, for example. This makes continuous learning essential. As you gain experience, you’ll identify gaps in your skills and areas for improvement. Investing in upskilling, whether through online courses, mentorship, coaching, or hands-on practice, will help you stay competitive and unlock new opportunities. Some key skills that are valuable in remote work include: While technical skills get your foot in the door, soft skills help you thrive in a remote work environment. Since you’re not physically present with your team or clients, how you communicate and collaborate matters a lot. Some essential soft skills include time management, proactive communication, adaptability and self motivation. Who is hiring for remote roles? Many businesses have fully embraced remote teams, with some industries being more open to remote hiring than others. Though return-to-office (RTO) mandates have been making headlines, many companies remain committed to remote work because it makes financial and cultural sense for them. Understanding where the opportunities lie can help you align your skills with the right roles. Industries with strong remote hiring trends include: Why tech should be your BFF Regardless of your role, technology is no longer optional. It’s now a necessity. Every job now has a digital component, and the better you are at using tech as a tool, the more efficient and effective you will be in your role. For example a Virtual Assistant who knows automation tools like Zapier can save time and add more value. If you’re a marketer who understands AI-driven analytics, you have the potential to create more effective campaigns. A customer support agent who understands how chatbots and CRM systems work can handle client requests more efficiently. So instead of fearing technology, see it as a tool to help you work smarter, not harder. You don’t need to be an expert in coding or data science. However, having a tech-friendly mindset will give you an edge. If you read my previous post, this will probably sound like repetition but I honestly believe this deserves to be emphasised on a few more times. Next steps? Remote work is full of opportunities, but success starts with recognising what you already bring to the table. Build on your existing skills, keep learning, refine your soft skills, and embrace technology. The more adaptable and proactive you are, the more doors will open for you in the world of remote work.

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Remote work is not just for techies

2 Comments / Remote Work /

Ever since this post decided it wanted to blow up, I have had many Introduction Calls booked with amazing individuals. They are interested in working remotely but don’t know where to start or where to look for opportunities. I’m glad to have shared my experience with them and offered a few pointers to help them get started. I even have a very smart and enthusiastic recent school leaver who landed a remote role working just a few hours a week through my network. Unfortunately, I need to say this here and now (again) that I don’t have a pool of remote jobs waiting. I share strategies that help aspiring remote workers land remote roles. Now, in most of these calls and conversations I continue to have with people who wish to pursue remote work, I have realised that there is a common misconception that remote work is only easy to get for those who work in tech or some kind of IT function. I have gotten used to hearing statements like, “It’s easy for you ka imi ana Tari vari muIT” or “But experience yangu inoita here iyoyi kuRemote?” (Translation: “It’s easy for you Tari because you are in IT” or “But will my experience be relevant for a remote role”) I thought to write this post to speak to those who may be thinking this and are wondering how they can actually get remote roles when they are not techies. Let me start with a story… When I left my job in 2014 to become a Virtual Assistant, I was working in tech. I was an IT Manager for a local bank in Zimbabwe and led the team that was developing and supporting our banking applications. When I decided to become a Virtual Assistant, I was signing up for a job that had nothing to do with tech. The only skills I took with me into this new role were reading, writing, communication and basic computer and internet literacy. I believe most people who can operate a smartphone, computer, and navigate at least one social media platform with ease (even just to socialise) would have also qualified. As I was drafting this article, I decided to go back to my very first client contract from 2014 and review the tasks I was contracted for. There was absolutely nothing related to my previous job. Yet, I managed to maintain this client relationship for seven years, and they paid me consistently over that period. There were seasons in which I wouldn’t have client work, and this client’s work paid to “keep my lights on”. Yes, something that had absolutely nothing to do with IT. I have worked with clients as a Virtual Assistant doing all kinds of tasks that have nothing to do with tech, including helping a client plan her wedding! You might be wondering, “But, Tariro, is that still remote work?” In my world, it is, because I was hired online and coordinated with service providers using various internet tools like Whatsapp and email. I only had to show up the day before the wedding for my client. Seeing everything come together beautifully, getting to wear my lovely dress, and joining in the wedding party was such a rewarding experience which I have shared in the past on my IG here. There are so many roles that are not necessarily tech roles in which you can thrive and earn a decent income as a remote professional. I think we need to separate something being of a tech nature from digital literacy and having digital skills. Whether we like it or not, we are now deep in the digital age, and to thrive in this evolving work environment, you need to have some level of comfort working with basic tech tools. You need to know how instant messaging applications work, and this goes beyond WhatsApp and Facebook Messenger. In the world of remote work, you also need to be proficient with applications like Slack, Microsoft Teams, Google Chat, and Telegram. Grasping how these applications work will help you collaborate more effectively as part of a remote team. If you want to become a Virtual Assistant, you need to learn how to make the most of email applications like Gmail and its integrated tools like Calendar, Zoom, and Google Meet. If you are handling operations within a team, you need to get comfortable working with project and team management tools like Asana, Trello, and Monday. As a freelance writer, you should learn how to use tools like Grammarly and ChatGPT to support your creative work and increase your efficiency. You want to also learn SEO skills to write for better ranking on search engines. As a marketer, you want to know how to maximise automation tools like ManyChat to achieve better engagement on your campaigns. All of these are just examples of non-tech roles that require professionals to embrace tech and use it to be more efficient in their work. So when you think of remote work, don’t assume it’s only for tech professionals. It’s for those who are willing to learn digital tools and commit to upskilling in the digital space. You need to get comfortable using different tech tools to enhance your work because recruiters, agencies, and business owners are looking for professionals who can do this effectively. CVs are great—I have one! But to be honest, not one remote job I’ve worked in the past 11 years has required me to submit it. What mattered more? How I communicated my skills and my ability to demonstrate that I could do what I claimed. The only way to gain the confidence to say this and back it up is to commit to learning and taking action. Don’t disqualify yourself from remote work opportunities just because they seem unfamiliar. If you desire flexibility in your work, start by equipping yourself with the right skills. If you’re unsure where to begin with learning digital tools that will help you navigate

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